Starting Now (Blossom Street #9)(84)

“So you got the tattoo when you were with her.”

“Hers is in a place you’ll never see,” Robin added.

“Okay.”

“While I was there I started looking at all the different designs. None of them got my attention or gave me the slightest desire to have something permanently placed on my body, until I happened upon this Chinese character.”

Roy frowned slightly. “It must have a deep personal meaning for you.”

“It does,” she agreed, her voice weakening. “It’s the Chinese character for hope,” she whispered.

“Hope,” he repeated. “Why that?”

“You gave me that, Roy. I didn’t ever think it was possible for me to care as deeply for a man as I do for you. I’ve admired you for so long, and hoped that you might one day share my feelings.” She stopped as she considered whether or not to bare so much of her heart.

His entire face seemed to go limp. “I had no idea. Since when?” he asked.

Having taken the conversation to this point, it didn’t make sense to turn back. “Ever since we worked on that political committee all those years ago. You were the most decent, kindest man I’d ever met. I dreamed of meeting someone like you for a very long while and it never happened. My problem was that you were married to Sally and so I said nothing. Did nothing.”

“Oh, Robin …” He slipped his arms around her and brought her close, pressing his mouth to hers. His lips were warm and moist, gentle and persuasive.

He angled his head to one side and continued to kiss her until Robin was sure she would dissolve into a puddle at his feet. Her hands roved his back and she leaned into him. By the time he eased his mouth from hers, Robin was trembling.

He held her away from him but his hands continued to cup her shoulders. “I don’t know that anyone has ever said anything more beautiful, or more perfect to me.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “It would be very easy to love you.”

Happiness stole over her. “Don’t fight it, okay?”

He grinned. “I don’t think I could if I wanted to.”

“Good.”

Chapter 31

Late Wednesday afternoon Libby hurried back from the hospital, changed clothes, and struggled into a pair of panty hose. At one point nylons had been part of her daily routine, right along with crisp business suits and high-heeled pumps. These days it felt as if she was stuffing sausage, trying to squeeze her legs into the control-top hose. How quickly one forgets.

She opted for a slinky black dress and her mother’s pearls for the hospital fund-raising dinner. Phillip had asked her to sit at his table and, at Libby’s suggestion, he had invited Robin and Roy to attend as well. Abby Higginbotham from HR had managed to find the extra tickets at the last minute.

Libby had spent the majority of the day with Amy Jo at the hospital. Ava had been released and was back at home with her grandmother. Darlene Carmichael had apologized through Ava, although the shock of the birth of her great-granddaughter had yet to completely wear off. She was grateful Libby had agreed to adopt the child, and that she wouldn’t be responsible for caring for anyone beyond Jackson and Ava.

Libby’s one disappointment was that she’d seen Phillip only briefly over the last few days. Today he’d been rushing down the corridor at the hospital when they happened upon each other.

“Tonight’s the fund-raiser,” he’d reminded her.

“Not to worry, I remembered.”

“Good.” They started walking backward, taking small steps, needing to be someplace else.

“You’re ruining my reputation, you know.”

Libby frowned. “Your reputation?”

“Yeah. They used to call me Heart of Stone. But ever since I met you that’s all changed.”

“I’ve changed, too.” It was important that Phillip know she wasn’t the same woman, either.

“You have,” he agreed, “but not all the changes in you have to do with me.”

“Don’t be so sure.” She pressed her fingertips to her lips and then held up her palm to him.

Phillip muttered something she couldn’t hear under his breath and pressed his hand over his heart. “See, you’re doing it again.” And then he added, as if all this sentimental talk was uncomfortable, “Do you want to meet outside the ballroom?”

“Sure. See you tonight.”

“Tonight.”

His eyes held promise, promise that Libby fully intended to collect upon.

Sharon had seen the hungry looks Libby and Phillip exchanged and slowly shook her head. “You’ve both got it bad.” Libby had flushed, embarrassed that her feelings for Phillip were so easily read by others.

Libby’s mind whirled as she headed into the bathroom to apply her makeup. She was running late because Abby had asked to talk to her before she’d left the hospital.

“I know you’ve recently rented your own office and struck out on your own, but there’s a position here at the hospital that you would be uniquely qualified to fill.”

“Me? A job at the hospital?”

“We need another fund-raiser on staff. Robert Lopes, who heads the department, told me the young man who’s been working with him has taken a job elsewhere. Robert is set to retire in a few years and we’re looking for someone to step into his position when he does.”